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Message |
    
nan
Citizen
Username: Nan
Post Number: 1111
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 23, 2004 - 5:54 am: | 
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I hate these things, but my computer game obsessed kid is sneaking into the neighbors' houses to use theirs. File this under "if he was getting it at home he would not be looking elsewhere" and at least at home we have some control (which is also why he is not getting a GameBoy). The neighbors wholeheartedly endorse our plan--in fact they are upset we did not get him one for Christmas.  .
So, he's getting one in February for his birthday (and he's counting the days on the calendar). I see they cost about $100 in the stores which goes up to about $300 when you factor in all the accessories that you need. If anyone has any advice on which extras I really need I'd appreciated that too. Everything I know about this subject, I learned from my son and he's hardly objective.
I would be willing to buy on line or anywhere that was recommended. |
Phil
Citizen
Username: Barleyrooty
Post Number: 738
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 23, 2004 - 7:19 am: |
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www.amazon.com
shopping.yahoo.com
www.buy.com
are good places for electronics. can't help you with advice on accessories, but amazon should give you a list of recommended ones |
Brett
Citizen
Username: Bmalibashksa
Post Number: 607
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Friday, January 23, 2004 - 8:25 am: |
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You’re right on the price about $100 if you buy online. I would suggest checking out some of the electronic stores because sometimes you’ll get a free game with the console.
The only main accessory you’ll need is a second controller (The system comes with one), they tend to run anywhere from $20 - $40 depending on the functionality. Anything else is just gravy.
After that you’re going to go broke buying games. They’re about $50. I have a “Game freedom Pass” at Blockbuster (19.99 month), I can rent all the games I want an exchange them any time. There is also a big market for used games, and that can save you some money.
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sportsnut
Citizen
Username: Sportsnut
Post Number: 860
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 23, 2004 - 9:42 am: |
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I second what Brett said about the second controller or else you wind up with kids just watching only one player playing the game. As far as games go if you son is willing to accept last years versions you may have some luck at costco. You'll save about 40-50% by buying games that are a year or so old. My son is still too young to realize so I often go to www.half.com (they are a subsidiary of ebay) and people sell slightly used games there, sometimes at a fraction of their original cost. It is not an auction site so the price that you see is what you pay plus S&H. Good luck. |
SoOrLady
Citizen
Username: Soorlady
Post Number: 310
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Friday, January 23, 2004 - 10:00 am: |
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nan - not exactly an "accessory", but I would subscribe to a video game magazine. read the reviews before you decide if the game is appropriate for your child's age - there are some pretty nasty games out there and it's worth the money for you to make educated decisions. |
Brett
Citizen
Username: Bmalibashksa
Post Number: 612
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Friday, January 23, 2004 - 10:05 am: |
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You can also post the name of the games here. If I love the game it's going to be inappropriate for your son (unless he's 30).
I'm sure you've heared of "Vice City", great game, very bad for kids. |
Duncan
Citizen
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 1463
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 23, 2004 - 10:14 am: |
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nan.. couple of sites worth a look in your education of console games
www.gamefaqs.com
www.gamespot.com
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take"
Wayne Gretzky
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Waldo
Citizen
Username: Discowaldo
Post Number: 27
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Friday, January 23, 2004 - 11:57 am: |
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If you do buy your child an extra controller I would suggest spending the extra few bucks to get the controller made by xbox itself. I always play video games and the worst thing ever is when you get stuck using the crazy controller your friend bought cuz he's too cheap to buy the real one. But hey if the expense is a problem dont worry about it, buy the cheap one, its not that big of a deal. And plus, when my friend destroys me in every game we play I can always pull out the old "well you have the good controller" excuse |
millie amoresano
Citizen
Username: Millieamoresano
Post Number: 32
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Friday, January 23, 2004 - 1:31 pm: |
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Webought my daughter her game cube at Electronics Boutique in the Livingston Mall it was 100.00 and came with a free Spiderman game the accesory pack was another 49.00 and came with another controller,cabels to play in the car and other cables if your tv is an older model.Costco also sells it with 1 or 2 games for 129.00(I think) |
nan
Citizen
Username: Nan
Post Number: 1114
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 23, 2004 - 6:36 pm: |
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Thanks for all the information everyone!
I think we are going to check local sources for the $99.99 "special" The kid (almost 8) informs me that GameCube comes with some free game that he wants--don't ask me where he gets this information--so we need to get the one that comes with the "free" game even if we have to pay extra for it.
I'm hoping not to buy too many games because I'd like to limit access to about 1/2 hour per weeknight (with choice of TV OR game) and only a few hours on weekends. Wish me luck. I've have been successful at controlling TV/PC during the week--the weekend is another story. I'm disappointed to hear there are adults playing these games--I was hoping this was just a stage he was going through.
The two controller option is what finally sold me on the idea to begin with. Currently my kid plays games on the Mac PC usually with one of his friends watching him looking bored. At least now two of them will be able to interact. Another problem we had was that he was outgrowing the available MAC PC games (he did almost everything from Pangea and Aspyr and Tivoli and Humongous) including lots of cheapo bin stuff (Sportsnut--let me know if you need any Pajama Sam, Spy Fox, or Max and the Haunted Castles, etc. These will probably be gathering dust soon) which I agree is the best way to go.
We told him we would only get a few games to start. He wants the Bionacle game (he loves all things Bionicle--even the Bionicle board game) which he will like even if it's lousy and maybe the Spongebob game (he is a SpongeBob scholar ) which I would guess is probably so lousy he might even notice. He also keeps mentioning some game called "Rayman" or something like that which he showed me at the video store. In general he likes maze games with monsters and weird stuff (loved the Harry Potter game) or arcade style games. The only sports he's interested in are swimming and tennis which don't seem to be big themes for video games, but what do I know. I will be glad for all suggestions since I don't have a clue.
I think the magazine idea is great because it's reading which is what I'd rather he be doing. Can anyone recommend a video magazine just for kids' videos that kids can read without asking their parents really embarrassing questions? |
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